Red Wolves fall at Louisiana Tech 84-54

RUSTON, La. (12/15/10) — Cold shooting plagued Arkansas State Wednesday night as the Red Wolves (6-5) dropped an 84-54 decision to Louisiana Tech at Thomas Assembly Center in Ruston, La. Arkansas State shot 26.6 percent from the floor on the night, including 26.5 percent in the first half to trail by 22 at intermission.

Senior Shay Scott notched her third consecutive double-double to lead the Red Wolves. Scott finished the night with 12 points and 10 rebounds, but the Lady Techsters countered by shooting 50 percent from the floor to pick up the win. Senior Adrienne Johnson led Louisiana Tech with 23 points and 13 rebounds.

Louisiana Tech led by eight, 20-12, midway through the first half, but the Lady Techsters outscored the Red Wolves 27-13 in the final 10 minutes of the period to take a 47-25 lead at the break. Tech hit 20-of-36 shots (.556) in the opening half, getting 17 points from Johnson, while ASU connected on just 9-of-34 attempts.

"We got open shots early in the game and we just missed them," said ASU head coach Brian Boyer. "We shoot it well, and we shoot it really well day-after-day in practice, but we came out when the lights were on tonight and just missed."

In addition to Scott's double-double, which was the 23rd of her career, the Red Wolves also got 14 points from junior NeNe Hurst and nine from sophomore Quinishia McDowell. Scott's double-double was also her fifth in the last six games, with an average of 11.8 points and 12 rebounds during the stretch.

"Shay was the positive, shooting 50 percent from the field and getting seven offensive rebounds," added Boyer. "She is continuing to play strong and is playing with a lot of energy."

Senior Whitney Jones added 17 points for Louisiana Tech.

Arkansas State will return to action Sunday, Dec. 19 when the Red Wolves host the Charlotte 49ers in a 2:05 p.m. game at the ASU Convocation Center. The ASU-Charlotte contest begins string of four consecutive home games for the Red Wolves, who will host Stephen F. Austin Dec. 21 before opening Sun Belt Conference play Dec. 30 against South Alabama. A-State will wrap up the four-game home stand Jan. 2 against Western Kentucky